Dental implants are considered the pinnacle of tooth restoration because they look and function exactly like real teeth. However, receiving them involves a surgical procedure that should not be taken lightly. It is important for a patient to be informed of what the treatment entails before undergoing it. Here are a few questions you should ask at your surgical consultation if you are considering dental implants.
Do you work with an oral surgeon or perform the entire procedure in-house?
Every dental implant provider works with a different process. Some offices are equipped to carry out the entire treatment, including the surgery and attaching the artificial tooth, while others may only attach the tooth after they have a surgical office place the implant. Knowing the exact number of providers you’ll be dealing with can greatly reduce the stress you might experience over the course of treatment.
What kind of experience do you have with dental implants?
If you’re seeing a healthcare provider for a surgical procedure, you’ll probably want to know what kind of experience they have in performing it. Ideally, you’ll have a surgeon who performs the procedure regularly so you can rest assured that the process will go smoothly.
What do I need to qualify for receiving dental implants?
Dental implants need to be placed in a sturdy foundation to be successful. You’ll want to know before you begin the process whether any issues with the teeth, gums, or jawbone need to be addressed first. If you don’t qualify for implants at first, you can probably qualify later after being treated for tooth decay and gum disease or receiving bone grafts.
What is recovery like?
If you’re undergoing any surgery, you’ll want to understand what you can expect during recovery. You’ll want to ask about what supplies you should stock up on such as ice packs, pain relievers, and soft foods. It’s important to know how you can get the nutrition you need during the healing process and how much physical activity you can safely perform. You’ll also want to ask about wearing a temporary denture between the implant being placed and the artificial tooth being attached.
These are just a few questions you might want to ask your provider. Being an informed patient sets you up to achieve the best possible result from the procedure, allowing your dental implants to serve you for a lifetime.
About the Practice
South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery provides the best dental implant services available from three locations in Jupiter, Royal Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Led by an experienced team of five board-certified oral surgeons, the staff delivers state-of-the-art, highly comfortable dental treatments with an emphasis on excellent customer service. Areas of expertise include dental implants, wisdom teeth extractions, and general oral surgery procedures. For more information on what you can expect during a dental implant procedure, contact the office online.